tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23532188732646153232016-11-17T03:27:01.380-08:00Dan Corey's Sports StorySports thoughts from Channel 5's Dan Corey -Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-38315853022997126742016-03-21T12:20:00.001-07:002016-03-21T12:24:52.407-07:00From An Iowan: Why We Just Witnessed The Greatest Sports Weekend In Iowa Sports HistoryMarch Madness has always been a special time for me. The spring-like weather, sometimes the occasional March-blizzard that would drop 13 inches of snow but would always melt in a few days. Or how about those teachers that would let you watch Iowa and Iowa State in the Big Ten and Big 8/12 Tournaments instead of doing math problems. Remember those days? God bless those teachers that did that and still do do that. The upsets, the busted brackets, the not-doing-anything-at-work on Thursday and Friday, the first two days of the Tournament. March is awesome.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Being from Iowa, it doesn't take a lot to impress me or get me through. I'm a simple guy. I feel like a lot of Iowans are right there with me. We love our sports teams. Gosh, we're a passionate sports state. We don't have big professional teams. Iowa State, Iowa, UNI, and Drake are our pro teams. And we're proud of that. We see the kids that shine in the UNI-Dome come state playoffs and ball players down at The Well in March go on to star for our "pro teams" and we follow them through their careers. Root for them through their careers. But then it ends for them and they join us out in the working field. Sometimes they go on to have actual pro careers and that makes us puff out our chest a little more. But most don't and we're ok with that. They're ok with that.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>This set up to be a special basketball season for Iowans. We were coming off a year where three teams made the NCAA Tournament last year. We knew Des Moines would be getting a Regional. The season had its ups and downs for Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI but once again, all three made the Tournament. And then they announced who was coming to Des Moines. Kansas. UCONN. Kentucky. Indiana. Wow! As if Des Moines hosting wasn't enough, it got four of the best programs in college basketball! I remember watching high school state basketball championships down at "The Barn"-Remember that place? I loved it. But watching games there as a kid, never in my wildest dreams would I imagine Jim Nantz and "ONIONS" himself coming to Des Moines to call basketball games. Not only did they come to Des Moines, their CBS crew raved about our Capital City. And so did many other reporters that were in Iowa to cover their teams. We really do live in a special place. Thank you to EVERYONE that made it possible for the Tournament to come here and many thanks to everyone that helped out during the games and along the way.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>As I said earlier, three teams from the state of Iowa got in the Dance and ALL three made the Round of 32. The state of California, with 24 Division I programs, had 0 in the Round of 32. Remember when we were happy with ONE Iowa team getting called on Selection Sunday. Maybe we would get lucky and have 2. Not these days. That's why it was such a special weekend. Iowa State, headed to Chicago to meet up with an old friend. Iowa Senior Adam Woodbury, a kid that turned down UNC to play in his home state, hitting a buzzer-beater. And as we all know. Northern Iowa nailing a half-courter in one of the greatest shots ever in the Tournament. I was on Cloud Nine Friday night, all day Saturday, and early Sunday morning. Iowa would then fall to Villanova. Ben Jacobson's team looked like it was well on its way to the Sweet 16 before falling in heart-breaking fashion to Texas A&amp;M. It hurt. There's no other way to put it. I felt awful for the Iowa and UNI players, coaches, and fans. Absolutely crushing.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then I saw Ben Jacobson do post-game interviews with pure class and while the national media started to talk about what a joke UNI was down the stretch, I once again felt this enormous amount of pride sweep over me again. Here's a guy, a lot like you and me, take all the blame about his team not winning and advancing to the Sweet 16. The way UNI let that lead go, they could of crumbled in OT. They didn't. Despite that lost, the Panthers made Iowans everywhere feel proud. It's more than just a game, sometimes, ya know? Yea, that wasn't very fun. But the way those kids and coaches conducted themselves after the game is what Iowa's all about.</div><div><br /></div><div>With all that, I'm willing to say that was the greatest weekend (including Thursday and Friday) in Iowa sports history. That's my opinion. If you disagree, that's ok. I'm young. Maybe there was one better, I don't know. But to me that was the best.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>THANK YOU from a "March Madness Nut" who grew up in this state and loves this state. To the players, coaches, workers, fans, and everyone else who put this magical weekend together, thanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Go get them Iowa State, the state of Iowa is behind you all the way.&nbsp;</div>-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-90729722018502305862016-01-04T14:55:00.005-08:002016-01-04T14:55:47.820-08:00Monday Munchies: Thoughts on the Rose Bowl, Iowa/Iowa State hoops, and March Madness in Des Moines*Now that we've had some time for Iowa's Rose Bowl debacle to settle in, a fair question is being raised. What will be more remembered..the 12-0 regular season or getting blown out on the biggest stage for Iowa football in a long, long time. Because we live in the moment so much these days, it's easy right now to choose the loss against Stanford. But history teaches me that it will be the regular season that will be remembered the most. I look back at the 2002 season for Iowa and how special it was. Talk to most Iowa fans and I bet they remember the beat-down the Hawkeyes laid on Michigan in Ann Arbor. Or how about tearing down the goalposts in the Metrodome. Memories that will put a shine in any Iowa fans eyes when talking about them. Iowa's final game that year? A 38-17 blowout loss in the Orange Bowl to USC. What's the one memory from that game I have? Carson Palmer leading the Trojans on drives of 79, 80, 99, 85 and 61 yards? Nope. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUlagJNZSVg">This is the play I will never forget</a>. It will take awhile to wipe away the loss, sure. But give it some time and I bet thoughts of Iowa beating its rival ISU after the passing of Tyler Sash, Brett Greenwood leading the team on the field against Pitt followed by Marshall Koehn hitting the game-winning field goal, and beating Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska all in the same season. These memories will be talked about in Iowa bars for decades to come.<br />*While the Rose Bowl took the headlines, it was the Iowa men's basketball team who stole the spotlight. In the same week, the Hawkeyes defeated #1 Michigan State and #14 Purdue. Not bad for a team that was predicted to be on the bubble prior to the year. And if this Iowa team doesn't fall flat on its face in conference play like the Alford teams were notorious for doing, the black and gold will be in the Tournament. South Sioux City's Mike Gesell was awesome against the Spartans. The senior put in 25 points and had his team in control the entire night. Iowa will look to keep this thing going tomorrow at home against Nebraska.<br />*If there was ever a "good loss," Iowa State picked one up Saturday night at now #2 Oklahoma. The Clones had the Sooners on the ropes for the games' entirety. Georges Niang had himself a night. 29 points on 13-18 shooting against a top-tier team had ESPN's Fran Fraschilla on-air claiming Georges is "the best offensive player in college basketball." When Iowa State needed a basket late, the Clones went to Georges. Niang having great basketball sense, felt the double-team come, and the senior kicked it out to Monte Morris. Although it isn't Morris' strong suite, Morris fired the 3-ball that would of given the Clones the lead. He missed. I have absolutely no problem with that shot. He was wide open and he knows how to make shots in clutch situations, as it's been proven over and over. Iowa State will get its chance at revenge in a few weeks from now when the Sooners visit Hilton on Big Monday.<br />*When the Sooners come to Ames, they might find Iowa State newcomer Deonte Burton in the starting lineup. The transfer from Marquette is averaging almost 14 points per game while shooting 68% from the field. Not only can he dunk, he can shoot. Burton was 83% from long-range this past week. It will be interesting to see what Iowa State coach Steve Prohm does as far as maybe moving Burton into the starting five.<br />*So today I was checking out the "Bracketology"..hey, it's never to early for March Madness! It looks like most sites have Iowa and Iowa State in that 3-5 range. But what's interesting to me is seeing Des Moines as a host site. I mean, the thought of Kentucky, Kansas, and Michigan State all coming to the Well in March has me giddy. If all three (Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI) make the Dance and we throw in Des Moines hosting, it will be the biggest March, basketball-wise, ever in the state. March can't get here soon enough..but let's enjoy some hoops along the way, shall we?-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-67820855089225668472014-05-15T18:48:00.000-07:002014-05-15T18:48:33.145-07:00Saying GoodbyeTo all my North Dakota and Minnesota friends:<br /><br />It breaks my heart to write this but I should let you know that I have resigned from my position at WDAZ-TV. It is not the ending I could of ever dreamed of, but all good things must come to an end.<br /><br />Although it is not the way I wanted to end my run at WDAZ, it does not change these things:<br /><br />When I first got the call from Pat Sweeney about the job opening at "the Z" two Novembers ago, I could not even tell you where Grand Forks was on a map. 17 months later, moving up here for the job was one of the best decisions I will ever make. Right away, Grand Forks and the entire region felt like home as the people were so welcoming. I had never heard of these towns or these teams but felt right away that I had known them my entire life. That is due to the people of the area and "North Dakota/Minnesota Nice." For that, Grand Forks and this region will forever be special to me.<br /><br />From Kittson County Central, Cavalier, Thief River, Thompson, Grafton, and GGF, covering high school sports on a daily basis meant the world to me. I have always loved high school sports and especially with the small schools, it was a treat to spend my Friday nights on the football field or packed in a gym with you. I will never forget the teams or the athletes that I had the privilege of covering.<br /><br />Going to a Frozen Four was beyond my wildest dreams but this year's North Dakota men's hockey team made it a reality. To be a part of North Dakota athletics, even just as a member of the media, was a treat. The trip to Philadelphia for hockey and to College Station for women's basketball was something I dreamed of when I was 7. Maybe not specifically UND but just to have a chance to do that, is amazing.<br /><br />I would like to thank WDAZ for giving me the opportunity to cover sports daily and for the chance to grow as a reporter. Also, I must thank Pat Sweeney for hiring me and letting me work besides one of the best broadcasters in North Dakota history. Everyone at WDAZ was fantastic to work with and I will miss them dearly.<br /><br />To every athlete, coach, parent, teacher, or concession sales lady I've ever interviewed or even just talked to: Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />Dan Corey-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-76947338824534497472014-03-15T18:40:00.002-07:002014-03-15T18:40:46.797-07:00North Dakota Women Win Big Sky Tournament, Advance To NCAA Tournament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65c7Au7I-Jo/UyUA1KMyVVI/AAAAAAAAAbI/KsYLrzx9gmE/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65c7Au7I-Jo/UyUA1KMyVVI/AAAAAAAAAbI/KsYLrzx9gmE/s1600/5.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz9coRyrK1U/UyUA2HaF3cI/AAAAAAAAAbg/_UNEh-8o7nY/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OiSMxekUnHo/UyUA0CA6V4I/AAAAAAAAAa8/SN1GbddpKWA/s1600/46.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TgRUQBm_ht0/UyUA0dXxlOI/AAAAAAAAAa0/BALgXGj4aeI/s1600/47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TgRUQBm_ht0/UyUA0dXxlOI/AAAAAAAAAa0/BALgXGj4aeI/s1600/47.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10lESRzsfYk/UyUA01-i5PI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/PFhrhlV5B2A/s1600/48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10lESRzsfYk/UyUA01-i5PI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/PFhrhlV5B2A/s1600/48.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj5zdYoSC5Q/UyUA2sEPwLI/AAAAAAAAAb8/n7sWZO5L6a4/s1600/52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj5zdYoSC5Q/UyUA2sEPwLI/AAAAAAAAAb8/n7sWZO5L6a4/s1600/52.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gJMd311KEI/UyUA12QjGjI/AAAAAAAAAbY/j-m7NCK2iqE/s1600/53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gJMd311KEI/UyUA12QjGjI/AAAAAAAAAbY/j-m7NCK2iqE/s1600/53.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-23925476719413885902014-02-28T14:34:00.003-08:002014-02-28T14:34:51.002-08:00East Grand Forks Wins Section 8A<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5IdLuvRFnU/UxEOGc6cQ7I/AAAAAAAAATE/ivWbu2W4P2Y/s1600/1-0+egf.avi.Still003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9234ISNyN4c/UxEOQaNpkFI/AAAAAAAAAW4/id0QW-sG6tI/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still007.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-467LDOHwk0A/UxEOQo1M-nI/AAAAAAAAAWw/ekhW4qELYJE/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-467LDOHwk0A/UxEOQo1M-nI/AAAAAAAAAWw/ekhW4qELYJE/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still008.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WoJ8_4mCb4s/UxEOREhgInI/AAAAAAAAAXA/8TxM14JsBxY/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WoJ8_4mCb4s/UxEOREhgInI/AAAAAAAAAXA/8TxM14JsBxY/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still009.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnUAg9hIUXY/UxEORWUJQnI/AAAAAAAAAXE/T4aWM16CS6Q/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnUAg9hIUXY/UxEORWUJQnI/AAAAAAAAAXE/T4aWM16CS6Q/s1600/WINNER+01.avi.Still010.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-35827038893281402862014-02-25T15:25:00.000-08:002014-02-25T15:25:43.235-08:00Thoughts On Attacking College/High School Athletes on Social Media<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHvsfzJJW58/Uw0ZIw-vkBI/AAAAAAAAASs/h-m6lpUVQCM/s1600/mccabe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHvsfzJJW58/Uw0ZIw-vkBI/AAAAAAAAASs/h-m6lpUVQCM/s1600/mccabe2.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of <i>The Gazette</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>*This is senior Iowa basketball player Zach McCabe. Zach has been an on/off starter for Iowa since beginning his career with the Hawkeyes and is known for being a "junkyard bulldog" kind of player. He is known for giving it everything he's got on gameday and is liked by most Iowa fans because of his effort. The Sioux City native has been struggling in Big Ten play for the Hawkeyes, a surprise due to his experience. No one has taken it harder than McCabe. Saturday was the tipping point for #15. Zach missed a three late in the game that would of tied it at 75. Not only did he miss it, he airballed it. To add salt on the wounds, McCabe finished the game with zero points and five fouls. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHqNULK8t0w/Uw0YyGFoC4I/AAAAAAAAASk/haqRCifDEbQ/s1600/mccabe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHqNULK8t0w/Uw0YyGFoC4I/AAAAAAAAASk/haqRCifDEbQ/s1600/mccabe1.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of <i>bigstory.ap.org</i></td></tr></tbody></table>*Here is Zach after the loss. From the interviews I have watched with McCabe after the game, he had to fight back tears because he was so devastated. This happens a lot. Kids have bad games, they feel bad. Credit them for even having the heart to talk to the media after a game like that. I know it would be near impossible for me to have that kind of courage.<br /><br />*Like many athletes that struggle, they open up their phones to negative comments on social media. Blasting athletes has been around since sports started. You go to a bar, you hear the boys talking about their team and how so and so isn't doing enough. Same thing at the barber shop, on the phone with your buddy, and even in the stands 20 feet away from the athletes themselves. <br /><br />*This was true with McCabe after Saturday's loss. Some of the stuff on Twitter being said about McCabe was horrid, so McCabe fired back by tweeting, "The fact that I have iowa fans saying&nbsp; s*** me is insane. . . You fans suck. . . Suck a fat one all of you."<br /><br />*Whoa. McCabe has since deleted his Twitter account. With this, let's look at the source. I already established that he gives you 100 percent. He chose to play basketball at Iowa when he could of went elsewhere and played basketball OR football. The Hawkeye&nbsp; program at the time was struggling. Although he is not fully responsible for turning the program around, he has had a helping hand. He is from Iowa. With all this being said, the support being shown for him would be different if he doesn't have the resume above. Zach's coach Fran McCaffery said, "Go root for another team" to the critics of McCabe. The head coach of the rival, Iowa State, said he would of had a hard time dealing with it when he was a player. McCaffery has now banned Twitter from his team during the season. <br /><br />*It is so easy for someone to hide behind a computer and tweet negative comments to that player. It is so easy for someone to hide behind a computer and blast a college team on a message board. For those of you doing this to high school/college athletes, get a grip. Remember, these kids are 16-22 years old. Do you know what you were doing at that age? I do and it sure wasn't anything close to as productive as these kids are doing. If you're, say, a 45 year old guy on a college message board blasting your team, don't you have anything better to do? I sure hope so. Go play with your kids or something. <br /><br />*Working in the media, I have been to countless high school/college practices. Most have not. They do not see the work and dedication that these kids give day in and day out. As the great Norman Dale would say, "That type of commitment and effort deserves and demands your respect." <br /><br />*Just because you're a fan of a team does not give you the right to absolutely bash these athletes that are out there, giving their best, FOR YOU, the fan. Social media is a great thing: Don't ruin it by attacking these kids who help represent your town and university. It was really easy for some of those "Twitter Trolls" to attack McCabe in 140 characters. I would like to see them do it to his face.<br /><br />*It is so easy for people to feel emotional about something, get on social media, and type out what they're thinking. But when it's attacking kids, it's time to think again. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-80644078123317498322014-02-17T15:06:00.000-08:002014-02-17T15:06:01.914-08:00East Grand Forks Advances To State <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ay3xUt75H_U/UwKVOgNccGI/AAAAAAAAAQU/jG5hz-L7VgU/s1600/81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ay3xUt75H_U/UwKVOgNccGI/AAAAAAAAAQU/jG5hz-L7VgU/s1600/81.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJnKo3Z6BT8/UwKVOkiVY9I/AAAAAAAAAQM/rZdBc4KwipU/s1600/82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJnKo3Z6BT8/UwKVOkiVY9I/AAAAAAAAAQM/rZdBc4KwipU/s1600/82.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wP0N8IuJaec/UwKVPZKphRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/R7TzeYnU5So/s1600/84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wP0N8IuJaec/UwKVPZKphRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/R7TzeYnU5So/s1600/84.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7SRbcpuojks/UwKVPWJU0DI/AAAAAAAAAQc/vwJnGQm0AE8/s1600/85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpen6whYmJY/UwKVQ9D_00I/AAAAAAAAARc/fA5kDBv9OPw/s1600/90.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHR-O6qlMks/UwKVc-u6L0I/AAAAAAAAASE/y0njnsGK6iw/s1600/egf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHR-O6qlMks/UwKVc-u6L0I/AAAAAAAAASE/y0njnsGK6iw/s1600/egf1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFnSzvjq_WY/UwKVdGrddRI/AAAAAAAAAR8/xpLCv2iUxx8/s1600/egf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFnSzvjq_WY/UwKVdGrddRI/AAAAAAAAAR8/xpLCv2iUxx8/s1600/egf3.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1oBxdvsiW4/UwKVdG2XbDI/AAAAAAAAASA/CFK_FOaehA0/s1600/egf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1oBxdvsiW4/UwKVdG2XbDI/AAAAAAAAASA/CFK_FOaehA0/s1600/egf2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1c01tcZjpyo/UwKVRaW4uCI/AAAAAAAAARQ/X6w5tfymN08/s1600/91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1c01tcZjpyo/UwKVRaW4uCI/AAAAAAAAARQ/X6w5tfymN08/s1600/91.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iOePGXSEP0/UwKVRlIFAoI/AAAAAAAAARY/F-gtj1XvkmU/s1600/93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iOePGXSEP0/UwKVRlIFAoI/AAAAAAAAARY/F-gtj1XvkmU/s1600/93.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zdh8WPhyJU/UwKVSCbZGUI/AAAAAAAAARk/6CYVkxqtkCU/s1600/94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zdh8WPhyJU/UwKVSCbZGUI/AAAAAAAAARk/6CYVkxqtkCU/s1600/94.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvGeoHJcZR0/UwKVSSLSNTI/AAAAAAAAARo/vmgCQdpIKkY/s1600/95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvGeoHJcZR0/UwKVSSLSNTI/AAAAAAAAARo/vmgCQdpIKkY/s1600/95.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-67947759988248684392014-01-20T14:32:00.000-08:002014-01-20T14:32:30.028-08:00A Day In The Life Of The Roseau-Warroad Hockey Rivalry I had heard so much of the rivalry since moving to Grand Forks a little over a year ago. Roseau-Warroad in boys hockey. Rams-Warriors. You better get to the arena hours before the game to get a seat. It's different from anything you've seen before. It's a way of life. It is life.<br /><br />About a month ago, I started tossing the idea around with Pat Sweeney about going up and covering a game between the two historic hockey programs. Not just to get highlights of the game but to really dip into a day in the life of the rivalry. Sure, I'd covered Warroad when they would come down and play East Grand Forks. But I'd never been to "HockeyTown USA." I heard about "historic Memorial Arena" but I'd never been there. This had to change I told myself. I need to experience it for myself. <br />Here is the rivalry from an outsider's eyes:<br /><br />It's Wednesday, January, 8th about 11 pm and I can hardly sleep. The next day, I'm headed to Warroad and Roseau to capture the rivalry thru a camera. Like many of the Warrior and Roseau players, you almost just give up on sleeping and do something productive instead of just tossing and turning all night thinking about the game.<br /><br />Finally, after maybe catching an hour of shuteye, I jump out of bed at about 3:30 am. I already know it is going to be a long day as the game doesn't even start for another 16 hours. Coffee and pure adrenaline will be my best friends on this Thursday.<br /><br />After a quick shower, I stroll out of my apartment and feel the warm(er) southern breeze meet my face. My first thought after spending a week below zero degrees: This feels great. Then I come to my senses and realize that wind in these neck of the woods means one thing in the winter time: terrible driving conditions.<br /><br />I fill the WDAZ car with gas and hop on Interstate 29. It's 5 am by the time I finally get out of greater Grand Forks. I'm scheduled to meet John Slyvester, father of Kyle, a senior on the Warrior hockey team in Warroad at the crack of dawn. I already know that I will be running late. 29 wasn't the best for driving but somewhat typical for North Dakota in the winter time.<br /><br />I make my exit at Drayton to get on Highway 11. That's where I run into absolutely terrible driving conditions. You know what I'm talking about-Can't see in front of you, wondering where the road is at. I shake my head and laugh. The state of Minnesota wouldn't have this Iowa boy take in this great rivalry with some fun winter driving!<br /><br />No coffee in the system, I finally pass thru a quiet Roseau knowing that when I come back later that afternoon, the town of just over 2,600 will be buzzing. Behind schedule, I finally pull into Warroad. I barrel into "The Gardens" parking lot hoping John hasn't left me. He is there, patiently waiting for me to arrive. I follow him to his home where I will follow Kyle around for the opening part of the day. The senior has his car running in the parking lot when we arrive to get it warmed up, a habit for most in the wintertime. I'm greeted by a handshake and a smile by Kyle(more than I could of mustered up when I was in high school) when John and I walk in the front door.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP8wnDa0n38/UtW3qL3jEXI/AAAAAAAAALo/7AM_0kzeDqY/s1600/kyle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP8wnDa0n38/UtW3qL3jEXI/AAAAAAAAALo/7AM_0kzeDqY/s320/kyle2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br />Letter jacket already on, Kyle makes two English muffins, better than McDonalds he claims. Between bites, he says, "Playing Roseau is like a holiday. There shouldn't even be school." <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fGmI4xkuSGU/UtW5R_V5DBI/AAAAAAAAALw/r1dUIcynsXU/s1600/kylesdad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fGmI4xkuSGU/UtW5R_V5DBI/AAAAAAAAALw/r1dUIcynsXU/s320/kylesdad.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sensing that I needed some caffeine, Papa John hands me a cup of joe, while sharing stories about the rivalry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lU_2Bgvv0W4/UtW52Ij9psI/AAAAAAAAAL8/60H2Ohs-B-A/s1600/hockeyroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lU_2Bgvv0W4/UtW52Ij9psI/AAAAAAAAAL8/60H2Ohs-B-A/s320/hockeyroom.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br />After some breakfast for Kyle and some caffeine for yours truly, the two take me into pretty much what can be considered the "hockey room." From corner to corner, the walls are covered in hockey jerseys, pictures, and awards. I have a feeling this is a room that just about everyone in Warroad has. After giving me almost an entire pot of coffee, I say my goodbyes to John and thank him for letting me in his home. I then follow Kyle off to school.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtcldpiTDa8/UtW88tVGUkI/AAAAAAAAAMA/Hgt8InGxwqQ/s1600/snowmobile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtcldpiTDa8/UtW88tVGUkI/AAAAAAAAAMA/Hgt8InGxwqQ/s320/snowmobile.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>I know this happens all around in the winter time but this truly spells Minnesota in the winter. Kids ride their snowmobiles to school, which is nice because it left several great parking spaces(name me a high school where you can say that.)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSkjNTjaP5M/UtW-F63I_VI/AAAAAAAAAMI/TzH8qfacjjE/s1600/kyle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSkjNTjaP5M/UtW-F63I_VI/AAAAAAAAAMI/TzH8qfacjjE/s320/kyle3.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br /><br />After an interview with Warroad Athletic Director Steve Bengtson, I meet up with Kyle for second period, where he and teammate Kobe Roth prepare an ice bath. The conversation turns to last year, when Roseau and Warroad split. "We have a little payback to give them," says Sylvester. Despite it only being nine in the morning, you can tell that the two line mates are ready to go. I too, am ready to check out "The Gardens", home of Warrior hockey.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ixeWGeYQAA/UtXADDLMn2I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/i_dw4M4thDA/s1600/warroad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ixeWGeYQAA/UtXADDLMn2I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/i_dw4M4thDA/s320/warroad2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>&nbsp; As soon as you walk in the arena, you can tell it is a special place. A lobby greets you with the ice in the distance through big windows. On top, pictures of Dave Christian and Henry Boucha look down at you. In the reflection off the windows, I see people starting to pour into the building.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QecAoSAFpGk/UtXBIMmsUII/AAAAAAAAAMY/wHY-Z4MueTs/s1600/randoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QecAoSAFpGk/UtXBIMmsUII/AAAAAAAAAMY/wHY-Z4MueTs/s320/randoms.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Despite it being not even ten in the morning, the people of Warroad come to the rink to skate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ_NCUFEdsY/UtXB9n_EYhI/AAAAAAAAAMg/NgQfpPCmLZs/s1600/randoms2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ_NCUFEdsY/UtXB9n_EYhI/AAAAAAAAAMg/NgQfpPCmLZs/s320/randoms2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the best things about The Gardens is that no matter the time of day, the rink is always open to public(except for during games you would think) Above them, banners among banners hang from the rafters.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otuOTrn3_hY/UtXC5KH2WrI/AAAAAAAAAMo/wpduDOQdQ9U/s1600/thegardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otuOTrn3_hY/UtXC5KH2WrI/AAAAAAAAAMo/wpduDOQdQ9U/s320/thegardens.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After finally peeling my eyes off the rink, I meet up with Olympic silver medalist, Henry Boucha. While up in Warroad, I decided to do a story on Gigi Marvin and T.J. Oshie, two Warroad natives who will be in this year's Olympics. Unbelievably, both graduated from the same Warrior class of 2005. I asked Henry about the two and he started chuckling to himself, sharing the time when Gigi and T.J. were ten and the two got in a fight. He then added that Gigi WON. "Kinda hilarious," said Boucha. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwqrBADx_8c/UtXDJe_9PrI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nFQItdOD_Rg/s1600/henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwqrBADx_8c/UtXDJe_9PrI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nFQItdOD_Rg/s320/henry.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;After sharing some laughs with Henry, I met with Gigi's parents, Mike and Connie Marvin.They said how proud they were of Gigi and how thankful of the support that the town of Warroad showed their daughter. Here is a picture they shared of T.J. and Gigi back in the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pNvObdC7Rw/UtXEVhlBB8I/AAAAAAAAAM4/gLkLQ06cq7A/s1600/oshiegigipic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pNvObdC7Rw/UtXEVhlBB8I/AAAAAAAAAM4/gLkLQ06cq7A/s320/oshiegigipic.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;After interviews with Jay Hardwick(boys coach) and David "Izzy" Marvin, I decide to drive around Warroad and see what the community of around 1,700 offers. The first thing you notice is the water tower. Warroad has the nickname "HockeyTown USA." The hockey sticks say it all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hb7FqHbodtw/UtXFSNTlQJI/AAAAAAAAANA/uPgIjXetnHc/s1600/watertower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hb7FqHbodtw/UtXFSNTlQJI/AAAAAAAAANA/uPgIjXetnHc/s320/watertower.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;We are approaching midday so I decide it would be a good idea to eat something before heading over to Roseau. I find a Subway as I hear an oven roasted chicken sub calling my name. Without thinking, I try opening the door to Subway but I'm halted as the door only opens halfway, caused by the door scraping on the outside sidewalk. Weighing 170 pounds soaking wet, I squeeze past, no problem. With no line, the nice lady working apologizes as I walk right up and order. I say no worries and get the usual. After I sit down (right in front of the door), people on their lunch break start pouring into the place. Just about everyone struggles with the door. I hear the Subway employee apologize to everyone of the 20 people that ordered when I was there. Minnesota-nice, indeed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finish my meal, top off the cup with some liquid high in sugar, and begin my journey back to Roseau. The travel conditions have improved since early morning. I hit scan on the car radio, hoping to find some cruising music. I think it maybe stopped once. A "staticy" station from Grand Forks will have to do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I arrive in Roseau about 20 minutes later-"The North Star City" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB0faTkobBo/UtXIHj2yfII/AAAAAAAAANI/xlfBVzHJNzo/s1600/roseau2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB0faTkobBo/UtXIHj2yfII/AAAAAAAAANI/xlfBVzHJNzo/s320/roseau2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cruise down the main road and with towns such as Roseau, it doesn't take long to find the school. And yes, it is just one school. I find the main doors and find Roseau Superintendent Larry<span class="st"><i></i> Guggisberg right away. Larry greets me with a strong handshake and I know I'm in good company. Here is Larry showing me the "North Rink" later in the day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7QlWyfxOIc/UtXJ6h_80nI/AAAAAAAAANQ/2tifteJOEVk/s1600/larry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7QlWyfxOIc/UtXJ6h_80nI/AAAAAAAAANQ/2tifteJOEVk/s320/larry.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;While at the school, I find former Olympian Gary Ross teaching young 4th graders. Mr. Ross is hanging it up this year after over 30 years. Ross remembers that to get to the state tournament, you had to go through Warroad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxI6cFxs4Mw/UtXKrdlPeKI/AAAAAAAAANg/qoPC22eiNOs/s1600/gary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxI6cFxs4Mw/UtXKrdlPeKI/AAAAAAAAANg/qoPC22eiNOs/s320/gary.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After speaking with Gary, I meet up with his brother Don, also an Olympian.&nbsp; Here he is sharing a story with Larry from 1972.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxxL7b9Z8wA/UtXMiINyKiI/AAAAAAAAANo/leMpKK477M4/s1600/donny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxxL7b9Z8wA/UtXMiINyKiI/AAAAAAAAANo/leMpKK477M4/s320/donny.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After grabbing a picture of this found in the hallway, I head off to Memorial Arena.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOSh464N3w4/UtXNRoHOdZI/AAAAAAAAANw/n9WFm1mhAEQ/s1600/painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOSh464N3w4/UtXNRoHOdZI/AAAAAAAAANw/n9WFm1mhAEQ/s320/painting.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first time I laid eyes on Memorial, I knew it was special. Straight out of the movie "Hoosiers", the barn reeks of tradition. &nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryAuCBLrcSM/UtXNdroYJAI/AAAAAAAAAN4/cJaLcyXEoRE/s1600/memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryAuCBLrcSM/UtXNdroYJAI/AAAAAAAAAN4/cJaLcyXEoRE/s320/memorial.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;As soon as Larry and I walk in, we run into legendary peewee hockey coach, Dick Johnson. Johnson graduated from Roseau in 1956 and had several stories on the rivalry between the Warriors and the Rams."Way back when in '48, Roseau and Warroad played, we both had outdoor rinks. Ended up with a brawl at the rink, on the ice, the players, the people, the parents, out there swinging, to beating hell and the whole bit. Now that's what you call a rivalry."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Or53EqMNVbg/UtXP5WpWVFI/AAAAAAAAAOA/W_A_L8kaWok/s1600/johnson2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Or53EqMNVbg/UtXP5WpWVFI/AAAAAAAAAOA/W_A_L8kaWok/s320/johnson2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here is a "generation picture" of Roseau taken in the late '50s. Johnson is probably in there somewhere.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97r8i33sqJk/UtXRJOzlBiI/AAAAAAAAAOI/BviER6QkxvY/s1600/5758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97r8i33sqJk/UtXRJOzlBiI/AAAAAAAAAOI/BviER6QkxvY/s320/5758.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "North Rink" I spoke about previously is absolutely beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BqgO-8OuZIo/UtXRpY-hckI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/URCPprwkAQM/s1600/nrothrink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BqgO-8OuZIo/UtXRpY-hckI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/URCPprwkAQM/s320/nrothrink.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />This greets you in the North Rink. Former Chicago Blackhawk and current Winnipeg Jet, Dustin Byfuglien. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ys1DwDQr6ks/UtXRzQ5A5-I/AAAAAAAAAOY/VCHH4LwNkic/s1600/dustin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ys1DwDQr6ks/UtXRzQ5A5-I/AAAAAAAAAOY/VCHH4LwNkic/s320/dustin.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVjR7HX5MpI/UtXSahHkVJI/AAAAAAAAAOg/WHwXUd-Jato/s1600/inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVjR7HX5MpI/UtXSahHkVJI/AAAAAAAAAOg/WHwXUd-Jato/s320/inside.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>&nbsp;Inside Memorial Arena a few hours before puck drop.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaF1mLD5r0Q/UtXTzX5twCI/AAAAAAAAAOw/HEne3ehesvc/s1600/reserved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaF1mLD5r0Q/UtXTzX5twCI/AAAAAAAAAOw/HEne3ehesvc/s320/reserved.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>You think WDAZ gets this kind of treatment at the bigger schools? Notice the blanket to the left "reserving" a spot. This was at least three hours before the game. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TaqqqqPNG9g/UtXUfP63R0I/AAAAAAAAAO4/AZGZLsN75QE/s1600/jv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TaqqqqPNG9g/UtXUfP63R0I/AAAAAAAAAO4/AZGZLsN75QE/s320/jv.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. These four ladies have the best seat in the house! Making sure no one gets them, they're parked in their spots for even the JV game. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WePz6H6Niv0/UtXWPeA6vpI/AAAAAAAAAPA/ks_064sYLh8/s1600/concession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WePz6H6Niv0/UtXWPeA6vpI/AAAAAAAAAPA/ks_064sYLh8/s320/concession.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>Think it's just popcorn and hotdogs at Memorial? Think again. The line was two-three deep all night as the great citizens of Northern Minnesota running the concessions made sure no one left hungry. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84IJHLnrjuc/UtXW4TGWgrI/AAAAAAAAAPI/57swOUIP55Q/s1600/upclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84IJHLnrjuc/UtXW4TGWgrI/AAAAAAAAAPI/57swOUIP55Q/s320/upclose.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>It's almost time for the main event. Good luck trying to find a spot. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgTAwXpP5RE/UtXXXjoy0UI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/jnIrnrDyQ5w/s1600/roseau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgTAwXpP5RE/UtXXXjoy0UI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/jnIrnrDyQ5w/s320/roseau.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>Roseau lights the lamp first. Look how many people are behind the glass. Trust me, it was not fun walking back there with a camera and a tripod. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHx_xOq_49Q/UtXXuR7F4wI/AAAAAAAAAPY/UU_l02g-TRI/s1600/uptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHx_xOq_49Q/UtXXuR7F4wI/AAAAAAAAAPY/UU_l02g-TRI/s320/uptop.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>Check out this neat view from the "press box" from above the east goal. Wild 102 FM's and Roseau PXP man Zach Swanson is there calling the game. Pretty neat stuff.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJhNDHX4_Rc/Ut2erWws50I/AAAAAAAAAPk/8pFzGSYi7es/s1600/roth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJhNDHX4_Rc/Ut2erWws50I/AAAAAAAAAPk/8pFzGSYi7es/s1600/roth2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;The night would belong to Kobe Roth would score FOUR goals. Check this beauty of a celly. Warroad beats Roseau 6-4.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-7HD27kWTo/Ut2fzdPB1sI/AAAAAAAAAPs/yKG3_KVIiYM/s1600/kyle+celly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-7HD27kWTo/Ut2fzdPB1sI/AAAAAAAAAPs/yKG3_KVIiYM/s1600/kyle+celly.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>Kyle celebrates with teammates in the Warrior locker room after the game. It will be a fun drive back to Warroad.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After sending highlights back to the Z, I finally walk out of Memorial a little after 10 p.m knowing the day is almost complete. A two hour drive awaits me but I know that it will be a breeze as I will spend it reliving the day in my mind. I finally make it back to Forks after midnight. What a day! I just want to thank everyone from both towns that made my trip memorable. It was awesome! Story runs on WDAZ Monday, January 27th at six. See you then! -Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-4502945674181382702014-01-03T16:02:00.001-08:002014-01-03T16:02:49.388-08:00TGIF Tidbits*Greetings and Happy Friday!<br /><br />*You know it is absolutely ridiculous out when a governor closes school because of the cold...three days in advance!! <a href="http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/pressreleasedetail.jsp?id=102-107322#.Usc3kEYqwCY.twitter">Minnesota Public Schools Closed Monday</a><br /><br />*Let's start with the Olympic hockey teams being set for the men and the women on Wednesday.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xr1EdPkIm4/UsdG-qkZd_I/AAAAAAAAAKs/E8MU7HAAHIc/s1600/lamoureuxtwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xr1EdPkIm4/UsdG-qkZd_I/AAAAAAAAAKs/E8MU7HAAHIc/s320/lamoureuxtwins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjPqXVD29Zc/UsdHCIbLE5I/AAAAAAAAAK0/cLSjvifbCwc/s1600/marvin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjPqXVD29Zc/UsdHCIbLE5I/AAAAAAAAAK0/cLSjvifbCwc/s320/marvin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*How cool is it that three locals will represent the USA women's hockey team? The Lamoureux twins (top photo) are natives of Grand Forks and Gigi Marvin of Warroad (above) will sport the red, white, and blue in Sochi. It was no surprise that all three made the team and they will be fun to watch next month!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEUUyKqRGT4/UsdIJ9HdorI/AAAAAAAAAK8/qur1Fo8Atv0/s1600/oshie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEUUyKqRGT4/UsdIJ9HdorI/AAAAAAAAAK8/qur1Fo8Atv0/s320/oshie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />*Former Sioux T.J. Oshie (above) of the Blues and Zach Parise of the Wild will play on the US men's team. When Toews is named to Team Canada on Tuesday, UND will be well represented as it will have nine current/former hockey players at The Games.<br /><br />*Last Friday, Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert was named the new head football coach at North Dakota. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgbJxO3YBCQ">Bubba Schweigert Press Conference&nbsp;</a><br /><br />*It was my first time meeting Bubba but you could tell right away why he got the job. He was sincere and emotional as he met with the media for the first time. The former UND assistant gave thanks to a lot of familiar names to North Dakota fans. Bubba wants his players to come from the Midwest and he wants to attack on defense. From a "unbiased" point of view(I'm from Iowa), Bubba seems to be the right hire. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKESOJ0RYSQ/UsdNDGAVLJI/AAAAAAAAALM/z_q_s5V3yTo/s1600/BUBBAHOOPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKESOJ0RYSQ/UsdNDGAVLJI/AAAAAAAAALM/z_q_s5V3yTo/s320/BUBBAHOOPS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*Here is Bubba catching some UND hoops at last night's game against Southern Utah. The guy bleeds UND green.<br />*The NDSU football team is going for a three-peat this Saturday against Townson. I don't want to say the Bison are a lock but the way they have been playing in the playoffs, I wouldn't want to be Townson.<br />*How crazy is it that NDSU will have more fans (10,000) at a pep fest over 1,000 miles away than UND did its highest-attended home football game. Ridiculous.<br /><br /><br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-78908635085584075332013-12-20T14:37:00.000-08:002013-12-20T14:37:31.768-08:00TGIF Tidbits *Greetings and happy Friday!<br /><br />*We start today with an absolutely filthy game-winning goal by Casey Johnson of Grand Forks Central.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nfoMxVNxwY">The best high school goal I've seen in person</a><br /><br />*It's not everyday a ESPN anchor tweets about a high school goal. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSxDDC_sEw0/UrTAm6VmS_I/AAAAAAAAAKI/H4wHyqJ-tYY/s1600/buccitweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSxDDC_sEw0/UrTAm6VmS_I/AAAAAAAAAKI/H4wHyqJ-tYY/s640/buccitweet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>*Not only was it to beat rival Red River, Casey said it was the first time he's beaten Red River in ANY sport in high school.<br /><br />*It was the first time Central beat Red River in hockey since 2011. Red River is not the same state champion it was last year. We knew that early in the season. I thought that with the Riders getting Aaron Sauve back in net for the first time of the year, they could hold off the Knights and that looked to be the case early with Red River going up 1-0. But the Knights fought back to score two straight to win it at Purpur. Congrats to the Knights.<br /><br />*Speaking of hockey, the US women's team is playing an exhibition with Canada Friday night at the Ralph. Grand Forks will have the joy of watching two of their own with the Lamoureux twins.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6xA0-Qybas/UrTD34UujHI/AAAAAAAAAKU/ycwJSEXgMVU/s1600/lamoureuxtwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6xA0-Qybas/UrTD34UujHI/AAAAAAAAAKU/ycwJSEXgMVU/s320/lamoureuxtwins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*Here the twins are practicing those "one-timers" that the WCHA is all too familiar with.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQBHOuyguPs/UrTEOY62hCI/AAAAAAAAAKc/dCvafAu09O8/s1600/marvin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQBHOuyguPs/UrTEOY62hCI/AAAAAAAAAKc/dCvafAu09O8/s320/marvin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*Warroad native Gigi Marvin also returns to the area sporting the red, white, and blue. Marvin will be playing as a defenseman, the position she played in "squirts"-Judging from when I interviewed her, she won't care, as long as she is playing hockey.<br /><br />*I think it's neat that the Ralph gets to host a game, even if it is an exhibition. It was too bad the arena lost out on not getting a women's Frozen Four. It's too nice of an arena and the passion for hockey in North Dakota makes that unacceptable.<br /><br />*WDAZ is having an online vote for "Team Of The Year"-The vote is between 15 area high school teams that&nbsp; finished the 2013 calendar year as section champs or made at least the semifinals. In just three days, we've received over 7,000 votes!<br /><a href="http://www.wdaz.com/pages/teamoftheyear">You can vote here</a><br />*Thanks for the read and have a great weekend! <br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-42418255192493652832013-12-16T17:48:00.000-08:002013-12-16T17:48:06.659-08:00Monday Munchies-What a weekend for UND, Famous Jameis, WDAZ's Team Of The Year*Greetings and good Monday to all of you, hope the weekend treated you well!<br /><br />*It certainly treated UND well. Both men's and women's hockey teams completed sweeps. The women's basketball team beat rival NDSU to now make it four straight over the Bison with Bismarck native Madi Buck pouring in 37 points. The men's hoops team ended its losing streak with a win over Presentation on Sunday.<br /><br />*Let's start with the big rivalry win for North Dakota over NDSU Saturday at The Betty. We knew both teams were evenly matched and that proved to be true. Both squads played very well in a very clean game that went down to the wire. The difference in the end was UND's Madi Buck. In what was an incredible display of shooting, Madi "Buckets" went 10-15 from the field, 5-6 from deep, and chipped in with nine rebounds. Certainly, not a bad day at the office. She also landed the "dagger" three when UND and NDSU were tied at 81 with just over a minute to play.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TB5H4T6S0bQ/Uq-hWwcl2qI/AAAAAAAAAJo/WRJFES4mBgo/s1600/BUCK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TB5H4T6S0bQ/Uq-hWwcl2qI/AAAAAAAAAJo/WRJFES4mBgo/s320/BUCK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />*Madi was the talk of the town but some of the chatter should include the name "Leah Szabla." The freshman from Brooklyn Park had 13 points on only six shots, nine assists, and five rebounds. For a point guard, that is a great stat line.<br /><br />*The home team was tested going down by eight with seven minutes to go in front of a crowd of 2,261. But Brew's Crew responded and took over in the final minutes. Big win for UND.<br /><br />*The UND men's basketball team got back to its winning ways with a beat down of Presentation. The UND fans usually stand until the opponent scores. Well, after UND went up 18-0, they gave up and just sat down. After falling in five straight games away from home, a 78-32 blowout win was exactly what the doctor ordered. UND gets South Dakota State at home on Saturday. That should make for a very entertaining game.<br /><br />*The men's hockey team has now made it five straight. Sweeps over Western Michigan and Northern Michigan are exactly what the doctor ordered going into break. Dave Hakstol's team has a reputation of playing better in the second half of the season it's looking like that might be the case again this year. UND is finally starting to get some production from its younger players, the likes of Grand Forks native Luke Johnson. Although again unranked in the latest polls, UND is starting to claw its way back to where they should be.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qZz5jnYUZk/Uq-sr9Jp3mI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/PsDAp4Fq9os/s1600/DRAKE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qZz5jnYUZk/Uq-sr9Jp3mI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/PsDAp4Fq9os/s320/DRAKE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; UND adds the finishing touch on the weekend sweep<br /><br />*The women's hockey team also got a sweep this past weekend, this time over Minnesota State. That means the team, at 12-4-2, has got off to its best start EVER. It just shows how great of a job Brian Idalski has done since taking over the program.<br /><br />*Speaking of women's hockey, the USA Olympic team will have an exhibition with Canada at the Ralph this Friday night. To add to that, the Lamoureux twins make their return to Grand Forks. This should make for a great night on Friday night. The Ralph should be packed.<br /><br />*I was fortunate enough to have a vote in this year's Heisman. I had a lot of people agree with me as I had Winston one, McCarron two, and Lynch three.<br /><br />*It does seem as the "glammer" of the Heisman has gone down for whatever reason. This year we saw six finalists, the first time in almost 20 years. Didn't matter for "Famous Jameis" as he won in a cakewalk.<br /><br />*Within the next few days, we will reveal our list for the "WDAZ Team of the Year" Like the Heisman, it will be up to you to vote who the team is. List will be revealed soon.<br /><br />*Have a good week all! <br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-62232443627458538332013-12-13T17:01:00.001-08:002013-12-13T17:01:16.800-08:00TGIF Tidbits*Greetings and Happy Friday!<br />*We start with #ChuckThePigskin and the next Nick Saban, Chris McComas. If you're wondering who the heck Chris McCumas is, you're not alone.<br />*Just watch the link. Hilarious. <br /><a href="http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/21295/group/Sports/">Chucking The Controller For Coaching</a><br />*My favorite part of the resume is the section, "What they are saying about me.."<br />"You are really good..."-Some random guy playing football online with PS3 <br />"I like your new hair cut!"-My mom<br />And my favorite, "Hurry up with this damn PowerPoint and lets go to Starbucks." A guy I work with <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMBbOZ6ZN1U/UquqpklYTDI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/ql1Az5DiLEo/s1600/puertorico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMBbOZ6ZN1U/UquqpklYTDI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/ql1Az5DiLEo/s1600/puertorico.jpg" /></a></div>*Can you imagine if this kid and McCumas got together and coached a team? They would never lose! #ChuckThePigskin #AnnexationOfPuertoRico #Domination<br />*As I said in the story, it would be a "Hail Mary" if this guy did get the job but the response around the UND community has been great. They too, like McComas, are having fun. <br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpcuSfsYxj4&amp;feature=youtu.be">A pledge for Chris to come to Grand Forks</a><br />*All I know is, it was a blast to do the story and he has a lot of peoples votes in The Frozen Tundra.<br />*McComas says coaching isn't for him and if he saw the local forecast, he would say North Dakota isn't for him.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbnEmTTpnLI/UqutmH1blMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/0la5v3Woujc/s1600/chuckthepigskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbnEmTTpnLI/UqutmH1blMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/0la5v3Woujc/s1600/chuckthepigskin.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>*I can't wait to go out in the Grand Forks nightlife and see someone rocking one of these bad boys. Classic.<br />*Have a good weekend all!-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-21532064478107062652013-12-10T14:28:00.000-08:002013-12-10T14:28:22.751-08:00Applicants For UND Head Coaching JobIan Shields<br />Jeff Mills<br />Bart Andrus<br />Bryant Soland<br />Kyle Schweigert<br />Michael Cummings<br />Norman Joseph<br />Ed Meierkort<br />Jason Kremer <br />Chris Stein<br />Todd Hoffner<br />Darrius Smith<br />Lane Powell<br />Joe Hagins<br />Howard Feggins<br />Sean Embree<br />Stephen Axman<br />Tony Coaxum<br />Lenny Doerfler<br />Michael Bath<br />Luis Rodriguez<br />Zach Shay<br />Chris McComas<br />Kevin Magouirk<br />Clyde Gregory<br />Jamie Marshall<br />Bruce Barnum<br />John Klacik<br />Glen Young<br />David Kenny<br />Vince Okruch<br />Bill Bleil<br />Anthoney Hill<br />Robin Pflugrad<br />Michael Markuson<br />Andrew Jordan<br />Larry Cole<br />Bob Connelly<br />Brian Bottenfield<br />Lacy McBeath<br />Maurice Drayton<br />Jake Moreland<br />Robin Ross<br />Robert Keys<br />Stephen Settle<br />Reg Trotter<br />Nick Calcutta<br />Ken Knapczyk<br />Efrain Martinez<br />Louis Esposito<br />Daren Wilkinson<br />Charrles Coe<br />Michael Kelly<br />Damian Mincey<br />Mario Felix<br />Doug Madoski<br />Jovan Dewitt<br />Ryan Held<br />Robert Lancaster<br />Eric Young<br />Robert Ianello<br />Nick Siciliano<br />Seth Wallace<br />Marcus Patton<br />Alex Pateras<br />Camm Richmond<br />Steven Smith<br />Dale Carlson<br />Larry Willis<br />David Taynor<br />Nick Garrett<br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-33215452204635877112013-12-09T16:07:00.001-08:002013-12-09T16:07:39.939-08:00Monday Munchies *What a weekend it was for the Red River Valley. The UND men's hockey team gets its first sweep of the season at Western Michigan. The UND men's basketball team plays at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse while the women's team takes Minnesota to the wire. The biggest news coming from Fargo where after the Bison crushed Furham, it leaked out that head coach Craig Bohl is leaving for Wyoming.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKjMft95twM/UqZRNKLCXbI/AAAAAAAAAIs/izcXKtX2b_U/s1600/bohl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKjMft95twM/UqZRNKLCXbI/AAAAAAAAAIs/izcXKtX2b_U/s320/bohl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />*This was news that shocked all of the FCS world, not just NDSU fans. We knew the move was coming. When and to where were the question marks. Saturday night, we found those out.<br /><br />*Although Wyoming doesn't sound "sexy" on paper, the chance to coach at an FBS school and have the CHANCE to play in a BCS game, is worth the move for Bohl. Yes, winning NC after NC at an FCS school is great. But there comes a time in a coaches career, as we've time and time again, where they have to move on.<br /><br />*Bohl has done so much for the program, NDSU, and Fargo. Did anyone ever see GameDay coming to Fargo? You would be lying to yourself if you said yes. Did anyone see NDSU going back to back at the FCS level, say 15 years ago. No. A lot of the Bison success, if not all of it, can be attributed to Bohl.<br /><br />*It is too bad that the story leaked out on social media and not officially by NDSU. That is the age we live in, however. Bison fans should not be bitter by that OR THE TIMING of the move. As Gene Taylor said Sunday in his press conference, there is NO GOOD TIMING for something like this. Yes, it puts the Bison in a unique position as they go for their third straight title, in which Bohl will coach the rest of the way.<br /><br />*Yes, I believe it will be a distraction. No, I don't think it will impact the team and their pursuit for a third straight title. We saw today, for example, with Bohl not making his weekly press conference, that it is already having some impact on the daily schedule. I believe this senior class is mature enough to get past the distractions and win it all in Frisco.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1PQHNVb9zU/UqZUyoQ8ArI/AAAAAAAAAI4/oCtfr7efcTQ/s1600/bohl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1PQHNVb9zU/UqZUyoQ8ArI/AAAAAAAAAI4/oCtfr7efcTQ/s1600/bohl2.jpg" /></a></div>*Personally, I wish the best for anyone who served on the Solich staff at Nebraska. Bohl was fired as the defensive coordinator when the Husker program started to slip. Although the move seemed right at the time, Nebraska fans might look back and wonder if it was indeed the right move.<br /><br />*While it was a noisy weekend in Fargo, literally (take a look of the decibel level graphic @NDSUAthletics tweeted out of the FargoDome on Saturday) all was quiet in Grand Forks. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjlOEUAuLBs/UqZV4Sf7qLI/AAAAAAAAAJA/f7pG-L0YH50/s1600/ndsuloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjlOEUAuLBs/UqZV4Sf7qLI/AAAAAAAAAJA/f7pG-L0YH50/s320/ndsuloud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*The men's and women's hockey teams were out of town as were the basketball teams. It was a big weekend for the men's hockey team as it finally got its first sweep of the year. If UND can take care of business at home this weekend against Northern Michigan, the team will have a ton of momentum going into the break. Momentum they need going into the second half of the schedule. It was nice to see UND get some scoring from the "young guns" including NCHC rookie of the week, Luke Johnson. The young players on the team are going to be the difference makers in whether this team can make another push at a Frozen Four. There is concern with the team even making REGIONALS but I think they get in, and as we all know, anything can happen.<br /><br />*It is nice to see a UND goalie put together two nice games in a row. TRF native Zane Gothberg had a monster save to finish off the sweep and put the exclamation point on a good weekend. Let's see if those games can string into weekends.<br /><br />*It was another tough test for the men's basketball team Saturday night in front of a national audience on FoxSports1. Although Butler won handily, I think UND proved some things. The biggest being they don't give up. I thought UND played decent in the half court which is not their game at all. Knowing that, I thought Brian Jones would throw on the press throughout. It wasn't until the second half when UND really tried to speed up the game by slapping on the press.<br /><br />*North Dakota needs to learn a few things-How to get stops when they need them and how to get scoring when Troy Huff isn't dropping 30.<br /><br />*Although it wasn't the result UND fans wanted to see, all these tough games do is help UND in March.<br /><br />*It was a tough one to grasp for the UND women's basketball team who had rival Minnesota on the ropes at their house. It shows that Travis Brewster's squad can play with the "big teams" but it is hard to win when you struggle as much as the team did in the second half.<br /><br />*The Heisman finalists were announced this afternoon and there are six finalists, the most candidates since 1994. Having a vote, I'm glad that all three on my list will be going to New York City.<br /><br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-62772799191343200212013-12-07T11:08:00.000-08:002013-12-07T11:08:10.239-08:00UND Travels To Butler, Visits Historic Hinkle*Here is a quick preview before you watch the game on Fox Sports 1 at 5 p.m.<br />*This is the first meeting between the two teams and the first time UND has ever played a Big East team.<br />*Butler is 5-2 as UND is 2-4.<br />*Butler is averaging 73 a ballgame while giving up 67.<br />*Butler went 14-2 on their home floor while the Bulldogs are 229-34 at Hinkle in the last 18 seasons. <br />*Both Butler losses have come by two points, both at the Old Spice Classic.<br />*Although not ranked, the Bulldogs look as if they might be that typical "Butler" team that will make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament.<br />*Let's talk x's and o's-<br />*Butler posts a great one, two punch in Kellen Dunham(6-6 Sophomore) and Khyle Marshall(6-6 Senior) Both players are coming off great performances at the Old Spice Tournament where Dunham dropped 32 against Washington State(Averaged 20 in the three tournament games) while Marshall dropped 30 against the Cougars(Averages 17 PPG, 7 RPG)<br />*The Bulldogs are pretty top heavy with these two but also get plenty of production from 6-9 Junior Kameron Woods who averages 11 and 9.<br />*The question is, who guards these guys? I don't think UND coach Brian Jones plays zone because of Dunham's ability to shoot the three (Attempts almost 7 a game) I think probably Huff gets Dunham, Nash guards Marshall.<br />*Kameron Woods is going to be today's difference maker. UND has to find someone who can guard the big man. When UND traveled to Wisconsin, I thought Kaminsky would have a big game because UND didn't have anyone who could match up with the 7-footer. Luckily, Woods won't fire up any threes but North Dakota must find a way to limit him in the paint. Getting him in foul trouble would be huge.<br />*I don't think UND goes zone but I say Butler does. UND struggled big time against the zone when Pacific threw it at them in Oregon. I'm sure the UND coaching staff is anticipating zone and practiced against it all week. Although a good outside shooting team, UND cannot rely on the three ball today. Yes, if Huff gets hot like he did at Wisconsin, you feed him the ball and let him shoot it. But the green and white must find a way to break down the zone by swinging the basketball and getting penetration in the paint(this could help with getting Woods in foul trouble)<br />*North Dakota must be ready to play defense. Marshall shoots 55 percent from the field which is the staple of Butler basketball-work the offense, get high percentage shots. It would be nice if UND threw on the press to speed the game up as UND wants to see over 160 points combined, Butler would take 100 points combined.<br />*I think UND puts together one of its best games of the year. It doesn't mean they're going to win but I think it is close. Another thing to keep in mind is Butler is not a great free throw shooting team(65%) so if it does go down to the wire, I think it helps UND.<br />*I'll say Butler wins it 83-76 but I wouldn't be shocked if North Dakota pulls off the upset.&nbsp; -Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-24732229933145695922013-12-05T19:38:00.001-08:002013-12-05T20:16:51.196-08:00T.G.I.F Tidbits *Greetings and Happy Friday!<br /><br />*We start with UND volleyball. On Wednesday, we learned that head coach Ashley Hardee resigned from his position after five years. This coming after he was placed on administrative leave Monday. It was reported that Hardee was the driver of a hit and run accident early Sunday morning in Portland, Oregon while his team was out there for the Big Sky Tournament. No one was injured and allegedly he and five of his players were on their way to the airport. There are still a lot of questions surrounding the incident but the details are starting to file in.<br /><br />*Hardee's statement that the University released:&nbsp; “I would like to extend a sincere apology to the program, the university and the community for a serious lapse in judgment." I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work at the University of North Dakota, and I thank the entire community for its tremendous support over the past five years.”<br /><br />*Here is what the <a href="http://psuvanguard.com/news/crime-blotter-nov-26-dec-1/">Portland State Vanguard</a> reported:<br />"Officer Rominger responded to University Place Hotel at 5:05 a.m. and contacted non-student Patricia Sorensen, who reported a hit and run. It was learned by non-student Dave Krueger that the head coach for the women’s volleyball team from the University of North Dakota, William Ashley “Ash” Hardee, was responsible. Non-student Ellen Krueger told her father, Dave, that Hardee was visibly intoxicated and crashed a rental GMC Yukon into the Volkswagen Jetta before driving her and another to Portland International Airport"<br /><br />*<a href="http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/21110/group/Sports/">Story from WDAZ Sports</a> <br />*<a href="http://mobile.grandforksherald.com/page/article/id/279518">Story from The Grand Forks Herald</a> <br /><br />*A source informed WDAZ Sports Hardee "probably should not have been driving" but would not elaborate. We don't know if the incident was alcohol related. Hardee did receive a DUI in June of 2012.<br /><br />*I will say this: In my short time working with Hardee, (covering his team, interviewing him, etc.) he was always willing to cooperate. The players liked him and played hard for him. His success at UND cannot be ignored. 110 wins to just 44 loses. Three conference championships. The University's first Big Sky championship. The buzz around Grand Forks with the volleyball team this past fall was great. It is too bad, no matter the details yet to come, that it had to end this way.<br /><br />*The UND men's basketball team is trying to get back on track as the green and white head out to the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbgXhXgQqII/UqEKd8x10hI/AAAAAAAAAHo/mWohsKhvod0/s1600/butler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbgXhXgQqII/UqEKd8x10hI/AAAAAAAAAHo/mWohsKhvod0/s1600/butler.jpg" /></a></div>*If you're a true basketball player, this is where you want to play. Names like Wooden, Robertson, and Bird all laced up the sneakers and put it on the line in the barn. The movie "Hoosiers" was filmed there. The state of Indiana bleeds hoops and this place is the heart of that. With all the tradition, Butler has had some recent success of it's own, you know. Two straight runner-ups. A fantastic coach in Brad Stevens. Players such as Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard, and Shelvin Mack. UND might be a little starstruck when they play tomorrow.&nbsp; <br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cdc13CU9Fc">Coach Brian Jones needs to do this</a><br /><br />*I think this is the game where UND puts it together. The win over NDSU was great but it was the perfect trap for UND. The team was getting pats on the back all week leading up to the tournament out in Oregon and it showed. Some North Dakota fans were drinking the green kool-aid a little too much saying that UND WAS GOING TO SWEEP in Eugene. They did not win a game. The squad looked much better against Oregon and in the first half of Pacific than they did in the Cal Poly game. Pacific might have found the weak spot of UND and that is the zone defense. UND has a lot of players that can take you one on one but now they need to learn how to play as a unit because you can bet zone is going to be thrown at them. UND can take another note from "Hoosiers"<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cdc13CU9Fc">How many passes?! Four!&nbsp;</a><br /><br />*I think regardless of the struggles against the zone, coach Jones is happy where his offense is. He is NOT happy with his defense. The squad is giving up almost 84 points a game and it they do want to make the tournament, they have to learn to get stops and turnovers. Preview of the game coming sometime soon. Game is at five on Fox Sports 1.<br /><br />*Hopping on the ice-The UND men's hockey team is in desperate need of a sweep. They get that chance tonight and tomorrow at Western Michigan. North Dakota has yet to get the brooms out this year and I think they do it this weekend. Two wins gets them back to .500 and I think coach Hakstol and the players would take that going into the break at this point. UND has to get these conference wins for later in the season and after the "all-players" meeting they had this past weekend, the light switch might have flipped on. Let's hope so.&nbsp; <br /><br />*One thing that we are pretty sure about-The East Grand Forks boys hockey team is the real deal. Tyler Palmiscno's Green Wave are 4-0 and have only allowed one goal. They are also in the driver's seat to win the Gambucci Cup after beating Central and Red River by a combined score of 8-1. They look like the favorite's to win Section 8A and get back to "The X" and with St. Thomas now in AA, who knows what can happen. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsV69TOXpgs/UqFOtN3JmbI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mbuYUitRsq4/s1600/EGF.Still001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsV69TOXpgs/UqFOtN3JmbI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mbuYUitRsq4/s320/EGF.Still001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />*To get ready to cover high school wrestling, I think I'm going to watch the top ten wrestling movies out there. Here they are, one thru ten.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDhcKkfdXD8/UqERzgBnxJI/AAAAAAAAAH4/ixBP_AJY0ko/s1600/vision+quest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDhcKkfdXD8/UqERzgBnxJI/AAAAAAAAAH4/ixBP_AJY0ko/s1600/vision+quest.jpg" /></a></div><br />*This is just ridiculous.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWE71AwnnJE/UqEUY8tPO8I/AAAAAAAAAIE/M4_6W2UsOnc/s1600/weather2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWE71AwnnJE/UqEUY8tPO8I/AAAAAAAAAIE/M4_6W2UsOnc/s320/weather2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*Have a good weekend everyone and bundle up!!-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-37075699726115337822013-11-25T16:06:00.002-08:002013-11-25T16:06:41.522-08:00Beatdown Of The Bison-What We Learned*In one of the biggest basketball games EVER in the state of North Dakota, the Betty was rocking as UND knocked off rival NDSU, 95-77. Here are a couple of exclamation points.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4awQbasFws/UpPaKEOxf8I/AAAAAAAAAHM/M9AuVQ0_MI4/s1600/huffdunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4awQbasFws/UpPaKEOxf8I/AAAAAAAAAHM/M9AuVQ0_MI4/s320/huffdunk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troy Huff landing the final punch to the Bison</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQZs40HWxl0/UpPaOAk2LOI/AAAAAAAAAHU/JoyS6xfGl70/s1600/nash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQZs40HWxl0/UpPaOAk2LOI/AAAAAAAAAHU/JoyS6xfGl70/s320/nash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaron Nash landing on the runway after taking flight</td></tr></tbody></table>*Herald sports writer Tom Miller had an article not to long ago warning fans to get comfortable at the Betty. He was right. With the new way college basketball is being called with the hand checking fouls, we saw 57 fouls yesterday. 57!! Although the fans are groaning, UND was 33-41 from the charity stripe. Anytime you can sink 33 free throws, you put yourself in the drivers seat to win.<br />*As I pointed to in my last blog entry, the game was about free throws and the players who were fouling. NDSU coach Saul Phillips saw four of his players foul out making the Bison go deep into their bench. At the end, they didn't have the horses. The UND bench was sensational scoring 27 points and giving rest to the starters. Coach Jones hit on this saying it was nice having his starters go 26, 27 minutes as opposed to 32, 33. As any basketball coach will tell you, this does wonders for your team.<br />*Something else coach Jones liked? His team having a 14-9 assist to turnover ratio while holding NDSU to a 4-11 assist to turnover ratio. Although that stat might be skewed by the offense the Bison were running in the second half (Letting Taylor Braun go one on five which was very efficient) that makes has to make a coach pleased.<br />*I thought Troy Huff might have a down game but the hot shooting from the senior continued. The line on the scorers sheet is beautiful: 8-12 from the field, 3-6 from three, 13-17 from the line, 32 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes.<br />*We knew that Huff would have a great season but he is off to a sensational start. He is sixth in all of Division I in scoring at an even 29 points per ball game. Not bad going up against Wisconsin and NDSU, two teams expected to make The Dance.<br />*The great citizens of North Dakota now know who Jaron Nash is, if they didn't before. The TT transfer took flight for three dunks against the Bison making the Betty rock.<br />*The fans are going to drool over Huff and Nash and rightfully so. But the team's rock might be Aaron Anderson. When I think of Anderson, I think of this scene from Rudy. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27D4k3dCXPg">You're five feet nothing, A hundred and nothing</a>. You know what else I see? A great point guard. Anderson's statline was also a thing of beauty, 3-4 from the field, 2-2 from deep, and 10-12 from the line. Anderson knows when to break, slow it down, and run the offense. Huff and Nash might be the transmission and the motor but Anderson is the driver.<br />*Looking at the tape, I was impressed with Jamal Webb playing the one spot. He also took command of the UND offense when they were forced to go half court. Despite going 1-5 from the field and not getting to the foul line, Webb had five assists and directed the offense well when he was at point. Nice to know UND can go Anderson, Webb, and freshman Quinton Hooker at the point.<br />*Give credit to the UND big men for battling. The strength of the NDSU team is down low and despite being over matched, Salmonson, Calcaterra, and Traylor played great. Between the three, 6-12 from the field, 9-10 from the line and 21 points. Nothing sexy but UND fans will take it.<br />*I thought the atmosphere at the Betty was great. The place was packed and although whistle after whistle halted play, the place was rocking. Not every home game for UND is going to have such high stakes but I hope the fans who pack the Ralph every weekend will help pack the Betty because this team is GOOD.<br />*I stand by my prediction of UND making the NCAA Tournament and yesterday only boosted my confidence. Wouldn't it be a treat if BOTH teams from the Peace Garden State made the Dance?&nbsp; <br />*With the men's hockey team struggles in the early going, is UND basketball getting more buzz around Grand Forks than the hockey team? If so, has that ever happened? -Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-81541060163635567022013-11-24T13:40:00.001-08:002013-11-24T13:40:13.130-08:00UND-NDSU preview*Well, here we go! In probably the biggest game EVER between the men's basketball teams of North Dakota and North Dakota State, we are set to see a dandy. Sure, these two have had some big games in the past but nothing can compare to this one. Why? Both programs are now DI...BOTH have a realistic shot at making "The Dance"<br />*The atmosphere will be fantastic tonight at the Betty..It might not register as the biggest crowd to ever see a game in the gym but it will be sold out and it will be the LOUDEST the building has ever reached.<br />*Bison fans will chant, "Let's play football." UND fans will chant, "Let's play hockey." How about we just play basketball.<br />*UND is coming off a strong showing against nationally-ranked Wisconsin and NDSU snapped a two-game skid when they knocked off Western Michigan. Both teams have momentum going into the matchup.<br />*I think this game goes down to the wire and with the new rule everyone at the coffee shop has been chatting about, this game could come down to free throws.<br />*We know UND has the guards..we know NDSU has the posts...and we know both teams are veteran.<br />*UND is going to try and attack off the dribble. If they can get Braun and Bjorklund in foul trouble early, that helps the green and white. Same goes for NDSU. If Braun and Bjorklund can get UND's big men in trouble, the Bison will see success.<br />*That being said, how are the refs going to call the game? Due to it being a heated rivalry, will we see a lot of fouls? I hope not. As Coach Boone said in 'Remember The Titans', "Let 'Em Play."<br />*Troy Huff was absolutely sensational in his return to Wisconsin. Sometimes after a great shooting performance like that, we see the player struggle the next game. If Huff is shooting like he did at the Kohl Center, it might be a long night for the Bison defense.<br />*Braun and Bjorklund might combine for 50 points tonight. If UND can keep them around 35-40 combined, they have a good shot.<br />*Game will come down to who shoots better from the line and what players get in foul trouble.<br />*My prediction: UND-69 NDSU-66 in a thriller.<br />*See you at the Betty!-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-11374433094885613322013-11-22T12:06:00.002-08:002013-11-22T12:06:59.983-08:00TGIF Tidbits *Greetings and Happy Friday!<br /><br />*It is sad to see the high school football season end, as always, but what a year it was. It was a blast covering all the area teams and I hope everyone enjoyed the new show DAZ Football Friday. The show allowed us to make it to games where we never would of made it before and cover small schools, that in the past, may not of received as much coverage.<br /><br />*One of those teams was the Bearcats of Kittson County Central. As part of the "8 In 8" promotion, KCC was put on the map and #BearcatNation did not disappoint. KCC had a great year. Here are some pictures of me and the KCC fans along the way.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAhh8OMCnKg/Uo-yq9O_pBI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ng1jlD5HhIM/s1600/kccfans2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAhh8OMCnKg/Uo-yq9O_pBI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ng1jlD5HhIM/s320/kccfans2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;In the FargoDome after KCC knocked off Win-E-Mac with my own sign and fathead. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwZF3wQCBZo/Uo-yqz40cCI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nT2Tz7OPZ7o/s1600/kccfans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwZF3wQCBZo/Uo-yqz40cCI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nT2Tz7OPZ7o/s320/kccfans.png" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;In Bemidji as KCC beat Ada-Borup in a Winter Wonderland (Usually instead of "The Man" it's "The Idiot"<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2sOUi0Fjno/Uo-yqyIbPyI/AAAAAAAAAGY/9FqvLXNmmis/s1600/kccpepfest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2sOUi0Fjno/Uo-yqyIbPyI/AAAAAAAAAGY/9FqvLXNmmis/s320/kccpepfest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>At the KCC pep rally I was invited to speak at. It was a blast. <br /><br />*I never could of imagined a fan base actually making multiple signs with my name on it and a fathead of me but Bearcat Nation did. Trust me KCC fans, it was just as much fun covering you guys as you enjoyed the coverage. That goes for all the small towns we were able to cover throughout the year. I could spend 50 years in this business and I don't know if I will ever see more love from a fan base than that of KCC's.<br /><br />*Last week, Cavalier tore through Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn in the Dakota Bowl 9-man championship, winning 54-6. Tornado senior quarterback Ryan Chrest had a Dakota Bowl record 377 rushing yards and one of the most impressive runs you will see.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/20853/group/Sports/">Filthy </a> at the 2:00 mark. <br /><br />*On Tuesday, the East Grand Forks girls hockey team beat Warroad for the first time EVER. The powerhouse that is Warroad is now 1-3. Uffda. The Green Wave are now a perfect 4-0. Could this be the year someone OTHER than the Warriors win Section 8A? It should be a fun year!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiKx8NC17Mg/Uo-3wrAaKII/AAAAAAAAAGw/V58QLI69y1s/s1600/weather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiKx8NC17Mg/Uo-3wrAaKII/AAAAAAAAAGw/V58QLI69y1s/s320/weather.png" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *Doesn't ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this look fun?<br /><br />*On Sunday, UND and NDSU square off in men's basketball in what is sure to be a great one at the Betty(preview coming tomorrow) I fully expect to see some Bison fans with 'Better Call Saul' shirts in tribute to NDSU head coach Saul Phillips.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHks4dTa3KA/Uo-5Tw3EcmI/AAAAAAAAAG8/eC9PTG5nsIg/s1600/saul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHks4dTa3KA/Uo-5Tw3EcmI/AAAAAAAAAG8/eC9PTG5nsIg/s1600/saul.jpg" /></a></div><br />*I'm off to talk to the UND men's basketball team and we will have a preview tonight on WDAZ. Blog preview comes tomorrow! Have a good weekend all and stay warm!<br /><br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-62336876724939728882013-11-21T15:53:00.002-08:002013-11-21T15:53:50.922-08:00Wisconsin: What We Learned*There is no such thing as a moral victory in sports, especially at the Division I level. But if you're the North Dakota men's basketball team, you have to be feeling pretty good after the 103-85 loss to Wisconsin.<br />*UND hung around early and actually led midway thru the first half. Troy Huff was absolutely on fire scoring 26 points in the first half en route to a career-high 37. But Huff was outdone by the seven-footer Frank Kaminsky. "Frank The Tank" was trending on Twitter and the top story on SportsCenter after dropping a school-record 43 against UND. "Kaminsky The UND Killa" could not miss. You figured with UND's lack of post play that the Badger big man could have a big game. No one saw him having a career game. Although the defense was not what coach Jones wanted, to hang around all game with a guy having a career game, UND had to feel pretty good on the bus ride back to Grand Forks.<br />*Although the defense was in mid-November form, the offense looked like it was March ready. Sure, Huff going off from deep helped open up the offense, but UND was able to drive in on Wisconsin and get baskets in the lane. We knew the strength of UND was driving to the basket and Tuesday night only encouraged that speculation. With UND's backcourt that Big Ten guards were having a tough time guarding, you can expect the UND guards to get to the basket at will in the Big Sky. This might mean a lot of trips to the free throw line, which is just fine for UND.<br />*Teams always talk about the "x-factor"-UND has one and his name is Jaron Nash. Nash did have some difficulty guarding Sam Dekker but that might be the best player he will guard all season. Nash was still able to get to the basket and score the ball. You could tell one thing right away when Nash "came off the bench" early on-Number one can play with the "big boys." Nash had 19 points in 24 minutes. Yes, the four turnovers are something that need to be addressed. But the athletic Nash looks like he has found his place with the team.<br />*More on Troy Huff. In a game that saw him play in front of about 20 family members and his mother and father, the guy went absolutely off. In maybe one of the most impressive performances EVER by a UND basketball player. 15-22 from the field, 4-6 from deep, and nine rebounds. Even Norm Dale would be tickled. After the game, Huff seemed very upbeat about the performance and where his team is headed.<br />*UND has the Bison on Sunday in what is going to be an absolutely great game in a great atmosphere at the Betty. Preview in a later blog. -Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-61145416064052106572013-11-19T12:42:00.002-08:002013-11-19T12:42:38.835-08:00Why UND can beat Wisconsin*No one just waltzes into the Kohl Center and wins, especially when you're a Big Sky team and I'm not saying UND is going to beat Wisconsin tonight..but there is a chance. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCFB2akLh4s">So you're telling me there's a chance</a>. Yes, Mr. Christmas, although the Big Ten Network will probably refer to North Dakota as NDSU or the "Fighting Sioux" five times tonight, UND has a shot at the Badgers. Here is why-<br />*<b>Veteran Leadership:</b> UND is a veteran squad, the muscle of the team. Between Troy Huff, Aaron Anderson, Jamal Webb, Josh Schuler, the green and white should not be rattled by the Kohl Center crowd of 17,000. They have been to Madison before, losing their freshman year. They have been to the Octagon of Doom. They have seen "big time" crowds. Now they must play well in front of one.<br />*<b>Newcomer Nash</b>: This is a big night for Texas Tech transfer Jaron Nash. If I had to guess, he will be the one guarding 6-7 sophomore Sam Dekker. Dekker should be All-Big Ten this season and probably an All-American by the time he steps off the Wisconsin campus. Nash is 6-8 and athletic meaning he might be the one who is called upon to shut down the Badgers best scorer. The Waterloo East grad showcased his skills at the Betty when he threw down multiple dunks. UND needs some of those tonight. If Nash can limit Dekker and score some buckets of his own, this gives UND a great shot.<br /><b>*Three Point Threat:</b> Speaking of shots, UND has proven they can shoot the three. They need to tonight. Wisconsin has held its opponents to just 22% from long range, giving up only an average of only three long-range shots a game. The way UND is built (very guard-oriented), they need to knock down 10-plus against the Badgers. If UND shoots well, they will stay in it. If not, it could get ugly..and fast.<br />*<b>Style Of Play: </b>UND needs to play their style of basketball...the old Wooden strategy comes into play here in concentrating on what you're doing, not what the other team is doing. Wisconsin will want to play half-court all night. If they do that, Wisconsin will win by 25. If UND can get out and run, they have a great shot to keep this thing close. To do that, they will have to play good defense to force missed Wisconsin shots. Rebounds lead to fast breaks, fast breaks for UND, leads to points. UND will probably need 70 to win.<br /><b>*Drive The Ball:</b> UND is great at driving to the hoop. They need to do that well tonight. Why? They (A) Need to get to the free throw line and (B) get the 7-footer, Frank Kaminsky in foul trouble. Kaminsky is having a breakout year and has the potential to be all-conference. UND has limited numbers in the post and has to get, has to get Wisconsin in foul trouble.<br />This begins a brutal stretch of tough opponents for UND-Wisconsin, NDSU, the Oregon Tournament, at Butler. Uff-da! This is a great chance for coach Brian Jones to see where his team is and a nice little appetizer for NDSU!<br /><b>*My prediction is in the ballpark of Wisconsin-75 UND-61. </b>-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-41677643983806700462013-09-26T14:17:00.000-07:002013-09-26T14:17:16.713-07:00GameDay in Fargo, Lets play hockey, UND reeling*Welcome back sports fans..<br />*What a day it was for North Dakota State and the city of Fargo last Saturday as ESPN's "College GameDay" headed to The Frozen Tundra.<br />*First off, it was crazy that GameDay even came to "The Peace Garden State"..but why not? The "BiZon" deserve it and so did Fargo and the state.<br />*When ESPN announced that Herbie and the boys were headed north, it was a question of where it should be held..on campus..or downtown? They chose downtown which raised blood pressure for some. Some NDSU fans wanted to have it in the dome or somewhere on campus. Ridiculous. Here's the thing. The show has been to Death Valley, College Station, Ann Arbor, Lincoln, etc. Places that know a thing or two about tailgating and football. I'm not saying that Bison fans don't know how to tailgate and to play football, because they clearly do. But ranking the NDSU tailgating scene to Alabama's is like the two squaring off in the actual game of football.<br />*ESPN knew what they were doing the entire time when they announced that it was going to be downtown. Feature the small-town USA feel(even though Fargo is not a small town) and show off Fargo's beautiful downtown.<br />*As most of us assumed, Bison fans came in flocks to be part of the show. Countless tweets and comments during the show, complimented the fans and the city of Fargo over and over, also adding that they will be back. Not sure they will be back year after year but the nation now knows about NDSU football(if they didn't before)(which they probably didn't)<br />*Text from a buddy in Iowa-"Is GameDay seriously in North Dakota? Is this real life?"<br />*Today the Grand Forks Herald had its UND hockey preview. If you haven't picked one up, do so. Fantastic stuff.<br />*It's no secret that UND loses a huge senior class with the likes of Kristo and Knight(two Hobey Baker finalists) now fighting for spots with the Rangers and the Flames. UND enters its new conference, the NCHC, which has created a buzz around town. The conference is loaded. Miami, Denver, UND, CC, Omaha, and the list goes on. We are going to see a lot of .500 teams that could win other conference's.<br />*UND is at Miami the 18th and 19th of October giving fans an early taste of what to expect for fans. Although Minnesota and Wisconsin are not on this year's schedule, this winter's slate serves up a lot of great weekends.<br />*The UND football team sits at 1-2 after their bye week with yet another ranked opponent coming to the Alerus Center. Montana State, another team reeling after a loss to SFA, visits Grand Forks for the first time since 1983. He is questionable, but more than likely, All-American quarterback Denarius McGee will not play.<br />*It's no question-UND must win one of these big games if they want to make the playoffs. The magic number seems to seven for UND if they want to make the playoffs. Technically, they could lose to Montana State and Eastern Washington, run the table, and get to seven. But is that good enough to make it into the postseason? They need a good win and hopefully for UND fans, it can come this Saturday against a beat up Bobcat team.<br /><br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-34646787892639596642013-09-03T15:30:00.000-07:002013-09-03T15:30:10.599-07:00Fear The FCS, Happy For Bohl, UND*Welcome back football fans..<br />*Feels good to say that!<br />*What a weekend it was for the FCS! First it was NDSU Friday night and then it was Eastern Washington Saturday night. All in all, eight FCS teams knocked off FBS teams over the weekend. Not bad for the "little brother" of college football.<br />*The North Dakota State win over Billy S and the boys in Manhattan was incredible. The Bison won that game, Kansas State did not lose that game. Big difference. Head coach Craig Bohl could hardly enjoy it as it seemed that he was on every sports show over the weekend. Well-deserved. I'm so happy for Bohl. Manhattan hasn't treated Bohl well. Bohl served as Nebraska defensive coordinator for a few years before the entire NU coaching staff was let go in a matter of two years.<br />*The link below makes me sick to my stomach.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsNHbIrqev0">Still have nightmares</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Z_1JN-dKhQ/UiZcRTb-L9I/AAAAAAAAAFU/1CLXlIhytzc/s1600/crouch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Z_1JN-dKhQ/UiZcRTb-L9I/AAAAAAAAAFU/1CLXlIhytzc/s1600/crouch.jpeg" /></a></div>*Remember when this wasn't a penalty?<br />*In '02, the last gas for Bohl and many Husker coaches roaming the Nebraska sidelines, Kansas State kept scoring on Nebraska when the game was well out of reach. For many years of Nebraska crushing Kansas State, I'm sure it felt good for EMAW Nation.&nbsp; <br />*Forgive me of my Husker rants..all in all, I'm happy for Bohl.<br />*NDSU was trending on Twitter all night and I'm sure the Bison party lasted well into the weekend..and rightfully so. If fans didn't know about the back-to-back FCS champs, they do now. <br />*Eastern Washington kept the party going when the Eagles strolled into number 25 Oregon State and walked out with a dub. EWU QB Vernon Adams only went for over 500 yards and six touchdowns. He visits the Alerus Center October 12th for UND's homecoming.<br />*Let's put it this way: B1G commish Jimmy might be on to something when he said he doesn't want his conference playing these smaller schools. Luckily, I've know both sides of the spectrum..absolutely nothing can come of these games with the FCS teams. Nothing. You win, you did your job. You lose, you're the laughing stock of college football. Especially with the BCS gone and a playoff format among us, the strength of the non-conference becomes vital. Here's the thing: With these FCS teams in Dennis Dodd's power rankings, shouldn't the playoff committee consider some of these teams good competition. Food for thought. <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/23450521/power-poll-ohio-state-on-top-but-fcs-gaining-ground">Fear The FCS</a><br />*One team that is trying to make that jump and become a household name in the FCS is UND. They will have a chance to make a splash this weekend when they host seventh-ranked South Dakota State. UND opened up the season by throttling Valpo 69-10. What we learned: Not a lot. We were just reminded that wide receiver Greg Hardin is very, very fast.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QYGtRwOfXw">Highlight video of UND-Valpo</a><br />*The green and white have their work cut out for them. South Dakota State is good. Real good. When they're not handing it off to their All-American running back Zach Zenner, quarterback Austin Sumner is slicing defenses through the air.<br />*UND knows what's on the platter this Saturday night. From what I can gather, the program needs this win. Mussman needs this win. More on UND throughout the week.<br /><br />-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-2914622679966449112013-08-30T15:18:00.001-07:002013-08-30T15:18:28.153-07:00Rest of my top 25<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">*Welcome back sports fans</div><div class="MsoNormal">*I know you've been losing sleep so here is the rest of my top 25!</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; </div><div class="MsoNormal">16. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Florida</b>-Head coach Will Muschamp is coming off his best season at Florida. The Gators saw only one loss in the regular season and could have easily been playing for the Natty title. The loss to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl put a sour taste in the Gators mouth heading into this year. The team returns quarterback Jeff Driskel and a great wide receiving corps. The biggest questions we find, are on the defensive side of the ball. Only a handful of starters return on that side of the ball, a defense that was lit up by Teddy Bridgewater. Not a huge concern as Bridgewater lights up a lot of defenses. The schedule is challenging. Very challenging. At Miami, at LSU, at Missouri, at South Carolina. Home against Tennessee and Florida State. If Florida splits there, I would call it a win. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 9-3</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">15. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Michigan</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> State</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">-</b>I’ve been sold on this team all off-season. Mark Dantonio is coming off a tough 7-6 season last fall but returns a lot of talent that could take the Spartans to new heights. The talk around Big Ten Country has been the qb spot. It was just assumed by the general public that senior Andrew Maxwell would get the job. Maxwell started all 13 games last year but didn’t put up the numbers Spartan Nation wanted to see. Enter sophomore Connor Cook. Cook has put the pressure on Maxwell all summer but it was announced recently that Maxwell will get the start in game one against Western Michigan. Whoever is at qb, they will have a great offensive line in front of them. That’s the key this year for Sparty, the lines. Both the lines are in position to have great years. The Michigan State defense should be salty and the green and white should be undefeated going into a late September game at Notre Dame. If they can get past the Irish and a trip to Iowa City, that should set up a great matchup with rival Michigan in early November. That is followed by trips to Nebraska and then Northwestern, a possible split.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 10-2</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">14. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Virginia Tech-</b>We will find out what the Hokies are about right away in the season opener in Atlanta against Alabama. Do I see them winning this game? No. But I do see them coming back from it and reeling off<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>8-10 straight wins. Frank Beamer will rely heavily on his senior quarterback Logan Thomas. The duel-threat qb helped Va. Tech put up great numbers offensively last fall, but saw his defense get gashed through the air a few games. That must improve if the Hokies want to return to the Big Boy Bowls. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 10-2</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13. Nebraska-</b>Well, this is the season that Huskers fans hope it comes together for sixth year head coach Bo Pelini. The schedule is favorable as Nebraska has their best skill players since 2001. UCLA presents a threat early in Lincoln, but if the Huskers can win against the Bruins, they should be 8-0 heading into Ann Arbor. That’s where the schedule gets salty for senior quarterback Taylor Martinez and the crew. Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Iowa all follow a home contest with Northwestern. That’s five pretty tough opponents. By then, the Nebraska faithful is hopeful that the young defense has grown up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 10-2</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12. Florida State-</b>Head coach Jimbo Fisher recently named Jameis Winston their starting quarterback..as if it was ever a question. Seminole fans are banking on the athletic abilities of Winston to take that next step and play for a national title. Many thought it would come last year but a one point loss and a late season loss to rival Florida put them in the Orange Bowl..where they stomped Northern Illinois. The offense will be good..real good. The defense will need to find some fillers up front, but if they can do so, this season could see the same success as last season. At Pitt to open up this Monday, and trips to Clemson and The Swamp..two very tough road trips for a freshman quarterback.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 10-2</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11. South Carolina-</b>The ‘Ol Ball Coach and the gang opened up the season last night in a 27-10 win over North Carolina. We expected a win like that. What we didn’t expect was Jadeveon Clowney sucking air while it seemed that the Heisman candidate was out of shape. He says it will come with time. It better come quickly, the Gamecocks play at Georgia two Saturdays from now. Shaw seemed to play well and they will need a performance like that when they face Georgia. I see this as a loss for South Carolina and another one late in the season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 10-2</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10. Louisville-</b>It’s no secret for the Cardinals. They must run the table to be in the national title hunt. The regular season slate ends with a trip to Cincy on a Thursday. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is a Heisman candidate but this team reminds me of Boise State and the position that they were in for so many years. You need to destroy your opponent every week and even if you do, for 12 straight games, you still might not play for a national title. This team could easily go undefeated but I see them losing at least one game.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 11-1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9. LSU-</b>The Tigers open up another season with a bang as they face TCU in Arlington Saturday. LSU also goes to Georgia and Bama but if there is any coach that can pull off wins such as, it would be Les Miles. You have to figure at this point that the LSU defense will always be solid..you also have to figure that there will always be a question mark at the quarterback spot no matter who is under center. This year, the plan is that senior Zach Mettenberger will be the one to get the job done. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 10-2</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8. Boise State-</b>The era is over where the Broncos come in and surprise people. Now, they’re just a top-10 contender every year. This year the blue will rely on quarterback Joe Southwick. Last year, Boise had some ugly loses..and some ugly wins. Although Washington isn’t expected to do to much, the Boise-U-Dub game is one to keep an eye on this Saturday. After that, a trip to Fresno might be the only game that presents the Broncos with much trouble. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 11-1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. Oregon-</b>The Chip Kelly era is over and Mark Helfrich might have walked in at the perfect time. The schedule is easy…really easy except for one game..you guessed it, Stanford. They go to the Cardinal on a Thursday night in what will be one of the best games of the year in college foortball. If they can beat Stanford, they very well could run the table. Like LSU, you come to expect certain things from certain teams. With Oregon, it’s you know that their uniforms are going to be ridiculous…and that they will have a dynamic backfield. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 11-1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Clemson-</b>They start the season with a tough game..they end the season with a tough game. In between, is Florida State. Those three games will define the Clemson season led by Tajh Boyd. Boyd could win the Heisman, especially if he leads the Tigers to a national title. I have Clemson up there as I think it all comes together for them this year. Out of those three I just mentioned, I see them going 2-1.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 11-1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Stanford-</b>I find it impossible to hate Stanford. The defense should be locked and loaded this year to go along with a pretty good offense. The team proved last season that when the defense gives up a lot of points, they can overcome it by scoring more than the other team. I have the Cardinal beating Oregon, but have them getting tripped up along the way. At USC, Notre Dam might present a headache for head coach David Shaw.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 11-1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Ohio State-</b>After coming off an undefeated season, many are predicting the Buckeyes to go to the Natty championship…and rightfully so. With Braxton Miller back, Carlos Hyde back(eventually) and a lot of returners coming back. Somewhere along the way..I see a loss. Would I be surprised if they go 12-0 again? Absolutely not. If there is one quarterback that could handle the pressure that that would bring, it’s Miller. Whether it’s at Northwestern, Wiscy, or at Michigan, I see a loss for OSU.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 11-1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Alabama-</b>Here we go again. Another great season for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Can they win four in five? They have the talent to do so, and possibly the schedule. I think they beat Texas A&amp;M, maybe handily. You know Georgia is gunning for them after the SEC Championship. Alabama will end up in a BCS bowl. But will it be for the National Title?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 12-0</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Georgia-</b>It’s the reason why Aaron Murray is back. To beat Alabama. I think he and Georgia will get their shot in the SEC Championship. LSU, USC, and Clemson are the only ones who will present a threat to the Dogs but I believe number 11 is on a mission after that 32-28 loss in Atlanta. Georgia had their title hopes dashed in a matter of seconds and I think they play for it this year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular season record: 12-0</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Texas</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">-</b>This brings us to number one..surprised??Yea, so am I. Even the biggest Longhorn fans aren’t picking them to win the national title, and believe me, it pains me to do so. But I like being different and this Texas team is loaded. Ash and McCoy at QB..and just about everyone else returning at every spot for Mack Brown. The team held on in last year’s Alamo Bowl and Brown even said in a postgame interview that it was a building block for this year. Oklahoma has absolutely owned Texas over the last few years but this is the year where the Horns win back the Red River and the national championship.<br /><b>Regular season record: 12-0 </b>-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353218873264615323.post-10027848393301132942013-08-13T20:45:00.000-07:002013-08-13T20:45:04.937-07:00Two-A-Days No More, Wildcats On The Prowl, Wegher, Shatel's Article on Husker Fans&nbsp;*Hey sports fans..The blog has been slacking as of late as I'm sure most of you don't care about my top 25 so I'm going to try and pick it up.<br />*Iowa high school football teams have dropped the "two-a-day" practices and have went to a single practice a day due to the boys in Boone ending the multiple practices in a single day. I never played a down of high school football so I would like to hear what some of you former/current high school players think of this. I'm sure coaches do the best to find ways around the rule. Some questions to ponder...does it hurt the overall performance of high school football? Are the teams more "even" at the end of fall practice?<br />*I think the boys in B-Town have one question and one question only: Does this make practice "safer" for the kids? I think the answer to that is, yes. Whether you think they're being to "soft" on the kids or not getting them game ready, it's hard to argue that there will be less kids fainting/heat exhaustion, etc. Here's something to chew on: How about a running back faints in a game because he wasn't conditioned well enough where he could of been better conditioned better with two-a-days as opposed to one. Interesting.<br />*Former Sioux City Bishop Heelan running back Brandon Wegher is headed to Morningside. I touched on this a little in a previous blog. In my mind, Wegher is a NFL talent. Things didn't work out at Iowa...or Oklahoma...or Iowa Western.<br />*Here is the story by KCAU. Watching this, you want to root for the guy. He never killed anyone..He didn't get busted for coke...He made a few mistakes, we all do. <br /><a href="http://www.kcautv.com/story/23084407/brandon-wegher-will-play-for-morningside-college">Saying All The Right Things</a><br />&nbsp;*Hard to imagine the last time he touched a football in uniform, it was for the game-clinching TD against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl..Remember those days, Iowa fans? Here's a reminder: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wIm_41OIOM">USA NUMBER 1!!!</a><br />&nbsp;*Flipping over to the Huskers...Here is an absolutely great read by Omaha World Herald's Tom Shatel on Nebraska fans and the hope for the upcoming season. <br /><a href="http://www.omaha.com/article/20130810/HUSKERS/130819845/1140#shatel-major-bowl-no-minor-need-for-bo-s-huskers">Husker Fans Need Hope</a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> *Shatel writes contrasting the anticipation of a past season compared to the outlook for this season, "If a Husker team had a four-year starter at quarterback, along with this arsenal of offensive weapons, and the 2013 schedule, nobody would be worrying about a young defense. People would be making their Jan. 1 hotel reservations.Alas, I think Husker fans have forgotten how to make those plans. And I think some of them are forgetting how to hope." BINGO. If the year was 1998 with the schedule Nebraska had and with the starting QB and running game coming back, Husker fans would have already had every hotel room checked out in Pasadena. Will that hope ever return for Nebraska fans?<br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style><![endif]-->*We have arrived at #17 on my college football top 25 poll: <b>Northwestern</b><br />*Did you think you would ever see the Cats picked above Oklahoma, USC, AND Michigan? That must be why no one reads my blog.<br />*This is hands-down the best Pat Fitzgerald team that has ever put on the purple. The problem is they play one of the toughest schedules in the B1G. Ohio State to open up Big Ten play, at Wisconsin, at Nebraska, Michigan, and Michigan State.<br />*The Northwestern backfield is incredible. Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian will be the qbs, both very dangerous. Venric Mark will be the one who they will be handing the ball off to, the most underrated back in America. Northwestern returns just about everyone at the skill position and the defense has a chance to be decent.<br />*October 5th might be the biggest day in Northwestern football history. Homecoming. Ohio State comes to town. Both will be undefeated. Night game. Game Day will be there. Should be fun.<br />*Regular season: <b>9-3</b>-Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14595896868353437123noreply@blogger.com0